Sewing-machine feed.



PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903.. J. M. MERROW. SEWING MACHINE FEED. APPLIGATIoNFILED rm. 14, 1902.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.-

No MODEL.

Tfr/47 INVENT TTURN BYE d EY /fr m im: ncnms Eriks co. PuoYaLzfHo..wnsumm'on. D. c.

No. 730,945. PATENTBD JUNE 1e, 190s.

' J. M. MBRNOW.

SEWING MACHINE FEED.

APP/LIOATION FILED FEB. 14, 1902. A H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2` lIIIIHIIIIILIHHNIllllxllxH-IlliIllllllllLL Il l I l I I l l l l l\.l` r ll l l I l l l l l l l ll|.\\

UNITED STATES Patented June 16, 1903.

PATENT OEEICE.

MERROW MACHINE COMPANY,

OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

SEWING- MACHINE FEED.

SPECIEICATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,945, dated .Tune16,1903. Application filed February 14, 1902. Serial No. 94,113,kNomodel.)

To @ZZ whom t 11i/ay concern:

row, in the county of Tolland, State of Connecticut, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machine Feeds; and I dohereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact descriptionof the same,

referencevbeing had to the accompanyingv drawings, forming a part ofthisspecification, and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention pertains to the work-feeding and controlling devices ofsewing-ma-- chines, and. has for its object the improvement of thegeneral construction and operation of the portions of the machine forperforming this operation.

The work-feeding and edge-controllingl mechanisms forming the subject ofthis invention, while applicable to other stylesrofV sewingmachines thanthat shown inthe drawings, are particularly designed for use with thesaid machine and are therefore described in connection therewith.

The machine shown in the drawings is illust-rated as fitted up wit-h onetype and arrangement of implements and mechanisms for the production ofoveredge-sewing; but it is also adapted to be fitted up with a varietyof stitch-forming implements and mechanisms and combinations thereof,whereby a very wide range of work upon material of widely-variedcharacter may be produced. Further, the machine illustrated is adaptedto be fitted up with trimming devices andl means for the removal of theVclippings orv waste caused thereby; but as these features,

as well as the pecnMarly-constructed frame adapted to receive them andthe various stitchforming implements and their mechanisms, alreadymentioned, form the subjects of separate applications for-patents thesame are omitted or not made prominent herein or in the drawings,excepting as they may relate to this present invention.

Briefly describing this invention, the feeding mechanism is of thefour-motion type, and the several movements thereof are accomplishedthrough positively-acting mechvanism, which includes means of adjustmentBe it known that 1, JOSEPH M. MERROW, citizen of the United States,residing at Mer-V whereby the horizontal movements of the feed may bevaried from zero to the greatest length wit-hin its limits and wherebythe feed is caused to travel to a point common to all adjustments. Theedge-controller mechanism is operated simultaneously with the raisingand lowering of the feed and is capable of adjustment to regulate itsfrictional pressure against the fabric.

Through the provision of the mechanisms -mentioned a positively-actingfour-motion feed is provided, which is capable of adjust-- vment for theproduction of stitches of varying lengths, while the edge-controller,operating in connection with the feed to retard and control the feedingof the fabric near its edge, prevents any pouting or stretching of thefabric, such as is liable to occur when overseaming thin or stretchymaterial, and thus the appearance of the work is greatly improved.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a machine fitted upwith the feed and edge-controller mechanisms. i Fig. 2 shows the machinelargely in plan, but. with the upper portion of its frame in section tobetter Ydisclose the interior mechanism. Fig. 3 is an elevation, on anenlarged scale, of the feeding and edge-controlling mechanisms, thegeneral outline of the machine as seen-in end View being indicated indotted lines. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the feeding and edge-controllingmechanisms proper. Fig. 5 is a View in crosssection of portions of saidmechanisms, taken on the line 5 5of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an elevation of anarm which raises and lowers the feed and carries the edge-controller.Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating in detail thefeed-adjusting joint.

Like reference-numerals of reference .refer to the same parts in all thedrawings.

Referringto the drawings, the number 10 denotes the frame of themachine, usually located at one end of a base-plate 11, of which it ispreferably an integral part.

The number l0 denotes the over-hanging arm of the frame, 10" the head,and 12 a cap secured to the said head.

The main shaft is denoted by the number 13 and is located in the upperportion of the frame and is journaled in bushings 13 13b, Isecured inthe frame. The shaft 13 extends through the arm 10n and is provided atone end, outside the fra-me 10, with the drivingpulley 14 and at theotherend,within the head 10b, with a disk 15, having a crank or wristpin 151. A link 16 connects the crank 15 -With the needle-bar 17 inorderthat the rotation of the shaft 13 through the medium of the saidcrank-pin and link shall reciprocate the needle-bar 17 in its bearingsin the cap 12. The needle 19 is secured to the needlebar 17, as is alsothe looper 20.

The number 22 denotes the work-plate; 23 a hinged extension of the same,and 10c 10f denote lugs formed on the frame 10 and on which thework-plate is supported and secured. Other supports for the Work-plateare provided, vone of which, 11b, extends upward from a plate 11, onwhich it is formed, and another of which is the top of a chuteframe 2l,to which the work-plate is secured by a screw 68, the latter alsoserving to hold in place one end of the needle-plate 25, hav- -ing theusual linger 25. 1

'lhe numbers 28 and 33 denote loopers heneath and above the work-plate,carried, respectively, on arms 27 and 34. The arm 27 is mounted on ashaft 26, located near the base 11, and is supported in bearings 11c11d, provided, respectively, on the base 11 and the plate lla. l

The number 32 denotes a rod connecting the arm 27 with mechanism (notshown) actuated by an eccentric 13C on the main shaft 13 for oscillatingthe arm 27 to cause the looper 28 to coact with the needle 19 and'looper 20. 'lhe arm 34 supported in the overhanging arm 10n and isarranged to oscillate diagonally to the needle 19 and the-looper 20,oscillatory movement being imparted -by an eccentric 37 on the mainshaft 13 and connecting mechanism (not shown) between the said eccentricand the arm 34; but as the stitch-forming implements 19, 20, .28, and 33and the manner in which they cooperateand. are driven form no part ofthis invention and the feed and edge-controllermechanisms will workequally Well with other knownforms of stitch-forming. mechanisms moredetailed description andillustration herein are not deemed necessary.v

The number 49 denotes the presser-bar, mounted to slide vertically inthe head 12 and provided at the bottom with the presser-foot 50,suitable lifting mechanism for the presser barand foot being provided.

Describing now the feeding and edge-conf trolling mechanisms, thefeed-dog 42, which is adapted to engage the fabric through a slot 25,cin the needle-plate 25, is secured to the'for- Ward end of` ahorizontally-extending bar or 'f carrier 43, the opposite orrear end ofsaid bar The frame 44 is mounted upon a rock-shaft 69, Which is in turnsupported in bearings 1l'e 11f, formed on the plate 11, and in a thirdbearing 10P, provided in the` machine-traine 10. The rock-shaft 69extends parallel with the main shaft 13 and is `adapted to be actuatedto impart, through the frame 44, horizontal reciprocatory motion to thefeed-bar 43 and the feed-dog 42.

To support-the forward end ot' the feed-bar 43 and elfect the raisingand lowering thereof,

a shaft 70 is provided,'extending parallel with the main shaft 13 androck-shaft G9, butlocated in advance of and above the latter. Therock-shaft 70 is supported near one end in a bearing 11 in thework-plate support 11lx and near its other end in a bearing 10q in themachine-frame 10. This shaft 70 projects throughits bearing 11h and'hasmounted upon its end a horizontally-extending arm 45, Fig. 6, adjacentto and substantially parallel with the feed-bar 43. The feed-bar 43 andthe yarmf45 both extend forward or toward the path ofthe needle 19, andthat side ofthe arm 45 confronting the feed-bar has a groove or `channel452L formed therein and adapted to receive a block 43", carried on a pinor screw 432 Fig. 5, located in the feed bar 43 and near the forward endthereof. The block 43b of the feed-bar 43, located in the groove 45 ofthe armf45, thus carries or supports the outer end ofthe feed-bar, andupon the rocking of the shaft 70 to raise and lower'the same the block43b slides in the groove 45a .topermit the horizontal andverticalmovements of the feed-bar 43.

To effect the rocking of the shaft 69, and thereby the horizon talmotions of the feed-bar, lthe shaft 13 is provided with an eccentric 46,

lOO

which through the medium of the followingdescribed train of mechanismimparts the desired motion to the rock-shaft 69: Located in bearings 10S10t in the oven-hanging arm 10 is a short shaft 7l, extending parallelwith the shaft 69 and having secured thereto between its bearings an arm7l, having its outer end secu red to the end of the eccentricrod 46a ofthe eccentric 46. The shaft 71 at -its end adjacent the bearing 10tcarries an arc-shaped T-slotted arm-71", to which is ad- `justablysecured the upper end of a link 72 by a bolt 73, Fig. 7. The lower endof the link is secured to the end of an arm 69a by a ybolt 69", the saidarm being carried'by the shaft 69 within the frame 10. Upon therotationwofthe eccentric 46 the shaft 7l is (throughitsv arm 71a,secured to the eccen- -tric-rod46 of the said eccentric) caused to rock,and the rockingmotion of the shaft'7l is carried therefrom through itsarm 71", the flink 72, and the arm 69 tothe shaft 69, and from thelatter horizontal reciprocatory motion is imparted to the feed in themanner already described.

To rock the shat`t70, and thereby effect the raising and lowering of thefeed, the shaft 13 is provided with an eccentric 47, having a TIO rod issecured to the end of an arm carried on the shaft 70 within the framel0. Upon the rotation'of the eccentric 47 its rod 47a through the arm70a causes the shaft 70 to rock, and thus effect the raising andlowering of the feed, as hereinabove described.

The eccentrics 46 and 47 are so timed that the feed-dog 42 will becarried backward while its teeth project above the upper surface of theneedle-plate to feed the material.

The arm 7l" is arc-shaped, as already stated, and in the machine asillustrated is so constructed that the feeding operation may always endor stop at a given point common to all adjustments of the length of thefeed. To accomplish this, the radius of the said arc is equal in lengthto the distance between the axial center of the shaft 7l and the axialcenter of the connection 69 when the arm 69is in the position assumedupon having moved the feed-dog 42 to the limit of its rearward travel.The arm 7lb is so positioned on the shaft 7l that when the eccentric 46has rocked the said shaft into the position calculated to carry the feedto the extreme end of its rear'- ward travel and the arm 69a is in theposition just mentioned the said are can be described from the center ofthe connection 69, as shown in Fig. 3. When the various parts underconsideration are in their respective positions just mentioned, it willbe seen that the adjustment of the link 72 will eect no change intheposition of the arm 692, so that the feed-dog must of necessity alwaysassume the position shown at the end of its travel regardless of thelength of such travel.

The angle of oscillation of the arm 7lb is constant because of themanner in which it is actuated; but by adjusting the connection 73 anydesired angle of oscillation possible within the range of the slottedarm can be imparted to the shaft 69, such angle being increased anddiminished as the said connection is moved from and toward the center ofthe shaft 7l, and thus the time of the feeding remains the samefor alladjustments of the length of feed. The shaft 69 in its movements tocarry the feed rearward will always carry the dog42 to a given point, asexplained; but in its partial rotations inthe opposite direction tocarry the feed forward the said dog will be carried to starting-pointsvarying with each change in position of the connection 73.

While mechanism is shown and described by which the feed will always becarried to or stopped at a given point, it will be understood that bymaking the length of the link 72 and the slotted arc-shaped arm 7lb ofsnitable proportions any other point in the stroke of the feed-dog maybe chosen for the nnchangeable point.

The adjustable connection between the arm 7lb and link is formed by abolt 73, the head of which is received in the arc-shaped T-slot 7le inthe arm 7l", which bolt passes through the link 72 and receives a nut73a. The bolt 73 takes 'its bearing within the said link end, and asleeve 7 3b, which is slightly longer than the thickness of the link, isadapted to be clamped between the arm 7lb and the nut 73, thus securingthe bolt 73 in the slot 71C, but preventing in no wise the free pivotalmovement of the link end upon the sleeve. The bolt 73 may be readilyadjusted in the proper position in the slot 7lc to give lthe desiredthrow to the feed or may be so positioned that its center alines withthe center of the shaft 7l, when no motion will be imparted to the link72 or the mechanism actuated thereby.

The edge-controller mechanism, as already stated, is mounted upon thearm or carrier 45, which raises and lowers the feed and likewise thesaid edge-controller. Describing more particularly the said mechanism,the reference-number 74 denotes a plate located on the upper side of thearm 45 and hinged at its forward end between two lugs 450, formed on thearm 45, the hinge-pin being denoted by the number 45d. The plate 74preferably overhangs the feed-bar 43, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5,and secured to such overhanging portion is a strip or blade 75,preferably of spring-steel, and secured to the plate`74 byA screws orotherwise. The blade extends beyond the said plate and at its forwardend has an upturned portion 75, the upper edge of which lies adjacent toand just in the rear of the path of the needle 19, as shown in Figs. 3and 4. The arm 45 has a hole 45e therein for the reception of acoil-spring 76, said spring being confined between the bottom of thesaid hole and the plate 74, the tendency of the spring being to rock thesaid plate upward; but such action is limited and controlled by a screw77, located in a tapped hole 45f in thearm 45 and passing through a hole74 in the plate 74 of greater diameter than the screw-shank, but

smaller than the screw-head.

Then the arm 45 is rocked upward to raise the feed, the edge of theupturned portion 75 of the edge-controller is carried into engagementwith the under side of the presserfoot 50, Fig. 3, or with the fabricthat may be under the said presser-foot and serves to retard the edge oflthe fabric during the feed.

ing thereof for the purpose already stated. Upon the completion of thefeed and the lowering of the arm 45 the edge-controller is loweredfromoperative engagement with the fabric.

The edge-controller blade 75 while having sufficient resiliency initself to allow its end 75 to readily adjust itself to the fabric isalso provided with additional means of adjustment, comprising the spring76 and the screw 77. The spring 76, which seeks to rock the plate 74upward, yand thus carry the operative portion 75 of the active end ofthe edge-controller downward, is limited in its action by the screw 77,as already stated, and the screw may be adjusted to lower the saidend,and thereby decrease its pressure against IIO the fabric, or so asto raise the said end and cause it to 'engage the fabric with increasedpressure.

The described means of adjustment for the edge-controller enables itsengagement with the fabric to be very finely adjusted, as may bedemanded by different grades of work, and to enable such adjustments tobe readily made the work-plate 22 is provided with a hole 22, locatedtherein directly over the screw 77, through which the said screw may bereadily reached for adjustment with a screw-driver.

The forward edge of the plate 74 is preferably rounded orbeveled beneaththe blade 75 'in order that the latter when forced down'- ward shall notbend at a sharp angle and be liable to breakage, and toinsnre theupturncd portion 75n of the said blade from catching in or injuring thefabric the forward corner thereof is preferably rounded, as at 7 5b.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In asewing-machine, the combination of the followinginstrumentalities, to wit, a feedbar, means for supporting one endthereof and for imparting horizontal reciprocating motion thereto, arock-shaf t adjacent said feed-bar, a grooved arm located on therockshaft and extending substantially parallel with and in the directionof the feed-bar, a block carried by the feed-bar and operativelysupported in the said groove and means for actuating the rock-shaft toimpart rising and falling movements to the feed-bar, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a sewing-machine, the combination of thefollowinginstrumentalities, to wit, a feedbar pivotally supported at itsrear end, a rockshaft adjacent said supported end, an arm on saidrock-shaft at the side of and extending parallel withand in thedirection of the feedbar, a connection between the said arm and thefeed-bar near their forward ends whereby the feed-bar is supported andis raised and lowered by the said arm, a main shaft, connectingmechanism between the main shaft and the rock-shaft comprising an arm onthe latter, an eccentric on the former and an eccentric-rod between thesaid arm and eccentric, with means for imparting horizontalreciprocation to the feed-bar, substantially as described.

' 3. In a sewing-machine, the combination of the followinginstrumentalities, to wit, a feedbar, an edge-controller, an oscillatingarm supporting the edge-controller and one end of the feed-bar andadapted to raiseand lower the said edge-controller and end of thefeedbar, means for oscillating the said arm and lneans for supportingthe rearward end of the feed-bar and for reciprocating the samehorizontally, substantially as described.

4. In a sewing-machine, the combination with a feed-bar, and anedge-controller, of an oscillating support with which one end of saidfeed-bar is pivotally connected and by which it is reciprocatedhorizontally, an oscillating arm supporting the free end of saidfeed-bar and edge-controller adapted to simultaneously raise and lowerthe feed-bar and edge-controller and means for actuating the oscillatingsupport and arm substantially as described.

5. In a sewing-machine, the combination with a feed-bar, anedge-controller and means for imparting horizontal reciprocation to thefeed-bar, of a carrying-arm for the edge-controller and connectionsbetween the arm and feed-bar whereby said feed-bar is raised and loweredby the movement of the edge-controller carrying-arm; substantially asdescribed.

6. In a sewing-machine, the combination with a reciprocatory feed-barand means for reciprocating the same horizontally of avertically-movable edge-controller and avertically-movable carrying-armsupporting said edge-controller and feed-bar with means for moving saidarm vertically whereby the edgevcontroller and feed-bar aresimultaneously moved into engagement with the work; substantially asdescribed.

7. In a sewing-machine, the combination with an edge-controller, apivoted carrier therefor and means for oscillating said carriervertically, of a feed-bar having a sliding connection with and movedVerticallyby said carrier and means for reciprocating the feedbarhorizontally on said carrier; substantially as described.

8'. Ina sewing-machine, the combination with a feed-bar, anedge-controller and an oscillating grooved arm supportiu g saidedgecontroller and adapted to support the forward end of the feed-bar, ablock carried on the feed-bar and working in said groove for the purposeset forth, means for oscillating the said arm to simultaneously raiseand lower the feed-bar and edge-controller, and means for supporting therear end of the feed-bar and for imparting horizontal reciprocation tosaid bar; substantially as described.

.9. In a sewing-machine, the combination of the followinginstrumentalities, to wit, a work-feeding mechanism, a rock-shaft, anarm mounted on the rock-shaft and driven thereby, an edge-controllermounted on the said arm, the said rock-shaft being supported instationary bearings permitting vertical oscillation of theedge-controller but preventing horizontal motion thereof andpositivelyacting means for driving the rock-shaft on which theedge-controller arm is mounted in both directions; substantially asdescribed.

l0. In a sewing-machine, the combination of the followinginstrumentalities, to wit, a work-feeding mechanism, a main shaft, arock-shaft, an arm on the rock-shaft and an edge-controller mounted onthe arm, mechanism for imparting motion from the main to the rock shaftcomprising an eccentric on the main shaft and an eccentric-rod securedto IIC Il r

an'arm on the rock-shaft whereby the edgecontroller is operatedvertically and held against longitudinal movement, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a sewing-machine the combination With an oscillatory arm andmeans for oscillating the same,of an edge-controller mounted on the armand embodying a plate hinged to the said arm, a blade secured to thesaid plate and extending beyond the forward edge thereof and means ofadjustment for the said plate and blade with relation to the said arm,substantially as described. A

12. Ina sewing-machine, the combination with an oscillatory arm andmeans for oscillating the same,of an edge-controller mounted on the armand embodying a plate hinged to the said arm, a blade secured to thesaidplate 'beneath the opening in the Work-plate and means for actuating theedge-controller; as

and for the purpose set forth.

JOSEPH M. MERROW.

Witnesses:

MoRToN O. TALCOTT, ALONZO M. LUTHER.

